Tamyiiz: Singular

Arabic numbers can be a bit dramatic (we'll be honest, they love attention), but this specific rule is surprisingly chill. When you use a number from 11 to 99, the noun that comes after it follows a strict but simple dress code. It must be singular (one item, not a group) and it must wear the accusative case (which usually means adding an -an sound at the end).

Think of it like a receipt. You don't see "15 Apples" on a fancy receipt; you technically see "Item: Apple, Qty: 15." Arabic logic for 11-99 is similar: "Fifteen [of a single] apple." It sounds weird in English, but it flows perfectly in Arabic.

1. 1Here is your three-step recipe for perfect Tamyiiz with numbers 11-99:
2. 2Pick your number (between 11 and 99).
3. 3Pick your noun (keep it Singular! Do not pluralize it).
4. 4Add the -an tail. This is the Tanwin Fatha. If the word ends in a regular letter, add an (often written with an Alif ـًا). If it ends in Ta Marbuta (ة), just add the sound an (written as ـً).
5. 5The Formula: Number (11-99) + Singular Noun + -an

Use this pattern whenever you are counting quantities that fall in the "teens" or "tens" (up to 99). This covers most daily transactions!

• Buying groceries: "I want 15 apples" (tuffāhan).
• Booking travel: "We need 3 tickets" (Wait! that's under 11... careful!). "We need 12 tickets" (tadhkiratan).
• Talking age: "I am 25 years old" (sanatan).

Do not use this singular-accusative pattern for numbers 3 to 10. Those low numbers are cliquey and prefer plural nouns (genitive case). So, don't say "5 kitāban." That's a grammar crime. Also, avoid this for numbers 100 or 1000, as they have their own (singular but genitive) vibe.

• The Plural Trap: Students often translate "20 books" directly and use the plural kutub. In Arabic, saying ishrūn kutub sounds like "Twenty books-es." Keep it singular: ishrūn kitāban.
• The Case of the Missing -an: forgetting to make the noun accusative. You can't say ishrūn kitāb (stopping short). You need that kitāban to finish the thought.
• The Gender Bender: While the *number* gender can get tricky, the *Tamyiiz* noun itself just stays in its natural singular form with the -an added. Don't overthink the noun's gender changes; just tag the ending.

• Numbers 3-10: Use Plural nouns with a "broken" ending (Genitive). Example: thalāthat kutub (Three books).
• Numbers 11-99 (This Rule): Use Singular nouns with an -an ending (Accusative). Example: thalāthūna kitāban (Thirty books).
• Adjectives: Adjectives match the noun (Plural noun = Plural adjective). Tamyiiz does NOT match; it stays singular even though the number is big. It's a rebel like that.

Q: Why singular? There are 99 of them!

Arabic treats the group as a specified quantity of a single type. It's like saying "99 head of cattle" in English. We don't say "heads."

Q: What if the word ends in ة?

You get a break! You don't need the extra Alif stick. Just put the two lines (tanwin) on top: madrasatan (school).

Q: Does this apply to asking "How much?"

Yes! After Kam (How much/many?), you often use this singular -an form. Kam kitāban? (How many books?).